Following publication of details from the Guardian and London School of Economics (LSE) interviews with rioters today, Darra Singh Chair of the Riots Communities and Victims Panel said:

“We welcome the findings of the Guardian and the LSE which mirror some of the findings of our own interim report on the causes and motivations for the August riots, which was published last week.

“The Riots Communities and Victims Panel spoke with 20 people who rioted and thousands of people in communities who knew rioters and witnessed the disorder. Our remit was to reflect the views of communities and victims.

“Through original research the Panel also identified that between 13,000 and 15,000 people were actively involved in the disorder.

“We identified that rioters’ motivations included the perception that they could loot without consequence, and for some - as the Guardian have also found - a desire to attack the police.

“Our focus for the second phase of the Riots Panel’s activity is to look more closely at the underlying causes of rioting we identified including youth unemployment, trust with the police, the role of brands and consumerism, values and parenting.

“As such we look forward to seeing more of the Guardian and LSE’s findings.”